"Blame It On The Bossa Nova", together: "I Want To Stay Here".
White Christmas
Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
And may all your Christmas′ be white
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten
And children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
With every Christmas card I write
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white
The lyrics of Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme's "White Christmas" revolve around the quintessential image of Christmas: snow, presents, and carols. The first two lines of the song express the singer's longing for a white Christmas similar to the ones they used to experience, where the treetops glimmer with snow and children listen for sleigh bells in the snow. The line "Just like the ones I used to know" implies that the singer used to have these experiences but now longs for them in the present, suggesting nostalgia for the past.
In the second verse, the lyrics reveal a wish for readers and listeners to have a merry and bright holiday season in their present time. The line "May your days be merry and bright" anticipates the joy and warmth of the holiday season. As the verse progresses, the dream of a white Christmas is repeated, emphasizing the importance and symbolic value of snow, which generally represents purity and new beginnings.
Overall, the lyrics of "White Christmas" combine recurring themes of Christmas such as nostalgia, snow, joy, and gifting. The song's simple yet touching message has made it a favorite during the holiday season.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm dreaming of a white Christmas
I'm hoping for a snowy Christmas season
Just like the ones I used to know
Similar to the Christmases that I have previously experienced
Where the treetops glisten
When the snow covers the trees, and the sun reflects on them, creating a sparkling effect
And children listen
Kids keep their ears out for the sounds of sleigh bells or Santa's reindeer
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
And wait eagerly to hear the sound of jingling bells or other holiday sounds in the snow
With every Christmas card I write
As I scribble messages of goodwill onto Christmas cards
May your days be merry and bright
May your days be full of hope and joy
And may all your Christmas′ be white
May you have a wintery, peaceful, and happy holiday season
Writer(s): Irving Berlin
Contributed by Alexis D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.